Anarchist Communism * Its Aims and Principles

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Anarchism may be briefly defined as the ‘negation of all government and all authority of man over man; Communism as the recognition of the just claim of each to the fullest satisfaction of all his needs – physical, moral, and intellectual. The Anarchist, therefore, whilst resisting as far as possible all forms of coercion and authority, repudiates just as firmly even the suggestion that he should impose himself upon others, realising as he does that this fatal propensity in the majority of mankind has been the cause of nearly all the misery and bloodshed in the world. He understands just as clearly that to satisfy his needs without contributing, to the best of his ability, his share of labor in maintaining the general well-being, would be to live at the expense of others – to become an exploiter and live as the rich drones live today. Obviously, then, government on the one hand, and private ownership of the means of production on the other, complete the vicious circle – the present social system – which keeps mankind degraded and enslaved. 

There will be no need to justify the Anarchist’s attack upon all forms of government: history teaches the lesson he has learned on every page. But that lesson being concealed from the mass of the people by interested advocates of “law and order,” and even by many Social Democrats, the Anarchist deals his hardest blows at the sophisms that uphold the State, and urges workers in striving for their emancipation to confine their efforts to the economic field. 

It follows, therefore, that politically and economically his attitude is purely revolutionary ; and hence arises the vilification and misrepresentation that Anarchism, which denounces all forms of social injustice, meets with in the press and from public speakers. 

Rightly conceived, Anarchism is no mere abstract ideal theory of human society. It views life and social relations with eyes disillusioned.  Making an end of all superstitions, prejudices and false sentiments, it tries to see things as they really are; and without building castles in the air it finds by the simple correlation of established facts that the grandest possibilities of a full and free life can be placed within the reach of all, once that monstrous bulwark of all our social iniquities – the State – has been destroyed, and common property declared. 

By education, by free organisation, by individual and associated resistance to political and economic tyranny, the Anarchist hopes to achieve his aims. The task may seem impossible to many, but it should be remembered that in science, in literature, in art, the highest minds are with the Anarchists or are imbued with distinct Anarchist tendencies. Even our bitterest opponents admit the beauty of our “dream,” and reluctantly confess it would be well for humanity if it were “possible.” Anarchist Communist propaganda is the intelligent, organised, determined effort to realise the “dream” and to ensure that freedom and well-being for all shall be possible. 

* It would be only fair to state that the individualist school of Anarchism, which includes many eminent writers and thinkers, differs from us mainly on the question of Communism, i.e., on the holding of property, the remuneration of labor, etc. Anarchism, however, affords the opportunity for experiment in all these matters, and in that sense there is no dispute between us. We have purposely refrained from alluding to the burning question of assassination, as we think it will be time to deal with that when government has explained to us all the moral advantages of its wholesale massacres, slaughtering and plundering.  

Freedom printery, 127 Ossulston Street, London N. W. 

[1898-1910. No advertising for Freedom and probably nearer 1898 than 1910.]